Granite Gear Packable Duffel
SPECS:
Comes in four different sizes:
- 20” [20 x 10.25 x 9.5”, 1.4lbs, 40L] MSRP: $49.99 (BUY NOW)
- 24” [24 x 12 x 11”, 1.5lbs, 60L] MSRP: $59.99 (BUY NOW)
- 30” [30 x 13.75 x 12.5”, 1.8lbs, 100L] MSRP: $69.99 (BUY NOW) (Reviewed here)
- 36” [36 x 16.5 x 14”, 2.3lbs, 145L] MSRP: $79.99 (BUY NOW)
If you haven’t heard yet, we live in a truck. If your mind immediately pulls up images of lush expanding RV compartments with beaucoup of storage, shrink that into an average parallel parking space, and add some smelly kayak gear. Yep, now you’re with me. Anything that gets to make its way into what precious storage we do have, can’t be babied. At some point or another, it will be squished, kicked, sat on, and most importantly, used.
While we spend most of our days traveling together in the EEXP, there comes a time where one of us needs to embark on a journey of our own via the limousines of the sky. And here, I gladly welcome Granite Gear’s 30” Packable Duffel. My only positive experience with packable bags thus far, has been with re-usable grocery sacks. They pack small, are not easily torn and we use them for a variety of different applications. So, this was my rough standard that I expected from this bag, plus being able to survive baggage claim, customs, baggage porters, mud pits and scorpions.
Step one; it must be small when it needs to be small.
The compact carrying case for the duffel is just the right size, has a big durable zipper and is made out of practical fabric. It’s rugged enough to survive all of the squishing and rubbing that happens while in our EEXP storage compartment. This bag can also be used as a toiletry bag while traveling. The fabric is super easy to clean in the event that you have a lotion bottle that just couldn’t hang with the altitude and so decided to coat everything in the bag with it’s scented essence. The back of the bag has two snap straps, a centered hanging loop, and multiple ‘MOLLE’ lash points for you to attach this bag everywhere you need it to be. The material is water repellent, but not water proof, so if you have this bag sitting next to the sink for an extended period of time, just be watchful of pooled water.
Step two; it must to be big and strong, when it needs to be big and strong, how ever you need it to be big and strong.
After extracting your duffel out of the carrying case, you will find a big, durable bag. This may not sound like much, but throw in the multitude of options on how to carry this big, durable bag, and this will have you laughing all the way to the bank. Not every destination is just an easy breezy cab ride away. Think of those customs’ lines, cramped sidewalks, and dodgy potholes that await your navigation. Don’t you want those moments to be as stress free as possible? Here, let me count the ways this bag works for you:
- Rock it like a backpack. These adjustable, directionally cushioned straps allow you to sinch your gear to your back for those longer destination treks. While this is no multi-day hiking backpack, with the addition of a removable, and adjustable, chest strap, it will have you guessing.
- Handles for days. Seriously, if you can’t manage to find something to grab a hold of as your stylish bag whips around the baggage carousal, you’re doing it wrong. Not only do you have handles scattered around the perimeter of the bag, when the two shoulder straps come together, they have a cushioned Velcro handle for your grabbing pleasure.
- Shoulder it. While you could just shoulder the bag when the backpack straps are lengthened and Velcro-ed together, you also have another alternative to whip out the adjustable, detachable shoulder strap, because having options just makes you feel good.
Now that you’ve got a handle on that, let’s talk about the big and strong material. Granite Gear is calling their duffel material ‘Tarpaulite’, sound like a lightweight flexible tarp-like thing to you? Well yeah, that’s about it. While it’s not quite all the way water proof, it is extremely water resistant. With the protective zipper cover, this creates a great barrier against the elements. This material will hold up against those unexpected puddle drops, rain drips, and other wet weather instances. The fabric also has held up very well with the wear and tear of the journey accrued under an airplane. And, just in case you were feeling the need to clip and tie your heart out, this duffel has a plethora of MOLLE lash points, on the bag and on the carrying straps.
For us, the 30” bag is perfect for a bug-out bag. I’m able to pack: Bivy, sleeping bag, Travel Chair, sleeping pad, winter jacket, hat, toiletry bag and enough clothes for a week.
So, to buy or not to buy?
I say buy. The quality design, overall versatility, and hearty construction make the Granite Gear Packable Duffel an easy and compact addition to the overland life. And yeah, take pride in making those other ‘Boring Bag Havers’ jealous.
(DISCLAIMER: This product was supplied to Exploring Elements for review consideration.)
